SEC 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Georgia TE Darnell Washington

Not only will Georgia have the top tight end in next year’s draft in Brock Bowers, but the two-time defending national champion Bulldogs also have one of the top names at the position in the 2023 NFL Draft in Darnell Washington. A tight end that has everything you could want for the position, where will Washington come off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft?

SEC 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Georgia TE Darnell Washington

Washington originally came to Georgia in the Bulldogs 2020 class, rated as a five-star prospect, as well as one of the nation’s top athletes, out of Desert Pines High School in Nevada.

As a freshman, Washington would appear in only four games with the Bulldogs, totaling seven receptions for 166 yards. Washington would however double that in 2021 by playing in eight games, catching 10 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown for the national champions.

Across 15 games this past season, Washington would post a career-year for the Bulldogs, totaling 28 receptions for 454 yards and two touchdowns, with the junior declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft at seasons end. This would bring a conclusion to Washington’s collegiate career, one in which he had 45 receptions for 774 yards and three touchdowns.

Also a key blocker along the line of scrimmage for the Bulldogs during his time in Athens, it’s clear that Washington is a true two-way player at the tight end position. Where might the former five-star now be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, and why?

Strengths

As mentioned at the start, Washington has everything that you could possible want in a tight end. At 6-foot-7, 270 pounds, Washington is arguably the most physical tight end in the NFL Draft, and excels as a blocker, both along the line of scrimmage, and out wide on the perimeter.

As a pass catcher, Washington excels both around the line of scrimmage and out wide, where he is a matchup nightmare due to his size. Simply put, Washington has everything needed to be a day one impact player at the tight end position in the NFL.

Question Marks

One potential question mark surrounding Washington in the NFL is if the former five-star can keep developing as a pass catcher down the field. Already a solid receiver around the line of scrimmage, if Washington can continue to develop as a downfield receiving threat, then the Georgia tight end has even more upside in the NFL.

Potential Draft Range

After an impressive showing at the NFL Combine, Washington is a player whose draft stock you could state is certainly on the rise. As to when Washington will be selected, the second round is arguably the most likely, but the back half of the first would not surprise anyone either.

Draft Prediction

Washington will be among the first tight ends selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, coming at some point early in the second round.